Alloy Rims Corrode, Too: Auto Clinic Car Care Tip

I saw this useless rim on the tire machine at my local shop. Regular washing of the car might have kept salt and road dirt from eating away at it. (Photo by James Westman)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

I've seen plenty of corroded steel rims leaking air past a rust-curdled bead seat surface. Guess what? Alloy wheels can corrode and leak air just like steel ones do. Today, alloy rims are no longer limited to the rich and famous -- even small, inexpensive cars are coming with alloys as standard. It's no surprise that those cheaper cars tend to get less maintenance than the more expensive ones -- and that includes keeping the wheels clean. Unfortunately, when alloys go bad, they aren't always as easy to fix as steel wheels. A steel wheel can be wire brushed and repainted good as new. However, this alloy rim is basically a doorstop now. The rim is so pitted with corrosion it's no longer safe to use.